On January 9, 2025, the US House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) in response to arrest warrants issued against Israeli leaders for war crimes committed in Gaza. The bill, supported by 243 representatives and opposed by 140, was proposed by Republican lawmakers Chip Roy and Brian Mast.

This bill seeks to condemn in the "strongest terms" any action by the ICC regarding the investigation or prosecution of Israeli officials, specifically Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The legislation calls for sanctions against the ICC, including travel bans, asset freezes, and the prohibition of real estate transactions in the US for individuals involved in pursuing justice against Israeli war criminals.

These arrest warrants stem from the ICC’s recognition of the atrocities committed during Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 46,000 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children. The Israeli government’s brutal campaign began on October 7, 2023, following a historic operation by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas in response to Israel's escalating violence against the Palestinian population.

This bill now moves to the Republican-controlled Senate, where it is likely to receive strong support. The House’s approval is a second attempt to shield Israeli leaders from accountability, despite widespread condemnation from international human rights organisations and the global community. Palestinian-American representatives like Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib vehemently oppose the bill, highlighting that it seeks to protect Israeli officials from facing justice for their role in the genocide in Gaza.

Rashida Tlaib condemned the bill, stating that it was designed to protect Netanyahu, a man she described as a "genocidal maniac," allowing him to continue his campaign of destruction and massacre in Gaza with the full backing of the US. The bill reflects the ongoing US support for Israel’s war crimes, further emboldening the Israeli regime to continue its devastating actions against the Palestinian people, free from the threat of international justice.

The legislation underscores a broader trend of American complicity in Israel’s actions, as Palestinians continue to suffer under occupation with no recourse for justice or accountability, while the international community’s efforts to hold Israel accountable remain thwarted by political and military alliances.